Shane (Remington Ranch Book 2) (14 page)

Cassidy laughed. “Don’t be so impatient and I’ll tell you. She’s a photographer who worked in New York for years. She just came back here and got engaged to her long lost love. We’re working together, putting together a line of Montana-themed art. I think it’s going to be big.”

Summer scribbled.

Knowing you, it will be. When do I get to meet her? I want to meet all your friends.

“Patience! You will. You’ll get to meet Gina tomorrow at the gallery, and maybe her fiancé, Mason. He’s is gorgeous! He’s like the quintessential broody cowboy!

And he’s taken
?
  Does he have any brothers???

Cassidy had to laugh. “Actually he has three. You should meet two of them tomorrow. Carter will be here working on the landscaping. Summer, I think you’re going to love him. He’s gorgeous! He’s big and built, spends all his time in the gym, and yet he’s such a sweet guy, all caring and thoughtful.”

Summer beamed and nodded, then scribbled.

Sounds lovely, but I already met one like that—my pilot!

Cassidy scowled. “That Carl guy was good-looking, but he’s got nothing on Carter. And I know the uniform is a turn on, but come on, you can’t beat cowboy boots and a hat—or Wranglers on a great butt!”

Summer waggled her eyebrows. “Sorry, but I can’t stay quiet on that one! Sounds like I really have found paradise and I’m spoiled for choice!”

“There’s no better choice than Carter. He’s an absolute sweetheart.”

Summer scribbled.

Sounds as though you like him yourself. What about the other two?

“No, I think Carter is perfect for you, that’s why I’m talking him up and that’s why I didn’t like your Carl guy today! Wait till you meet him, you’ll see. As for the other two brothers, Beau is one of them, you’ll meet him tomorrow. He’s a nice guy, good-looking, I just don’t know him as well as the others.” She wondered what she should say about Shane. She knew him better than any of them, but she shouldn’t spend any more time with him. Not if she didn’t want to make a mess.

Summer held up her pad.

So tell me what you’ve got going on with the brother you’re not talking about?

Cassidy laughed. “You don’t miss a trick do you?”

Summer shook her head. “So tell me.”

“Shane,” said Cassidy with a sigh. “I don’t know what to do with Shane. I don’t know what to do about Shane. He’s gorgeous. He’s totally my type, big, like six-four big. Muscled, tanned, fun, funny, life and soul of the party kind of guy.” She held Summer’s gaze and shrugged. “And you know how that usually ends for me. I avoided him for a long while, but I spent some time with him last weekend and I like him. I like him a lot. But I don’t think I should go there. I mean it’ll only end in disaster. I’d rather keep him as a friend than get involved with him and end up hating each other.”

Summer looked sad.

“What? What’s the matter?” asked Cassidy.

“That’s not my friend Cassidy talking,” she croaked. She had to scribble the rest.

My Cassidy goes for it, whatever it is, and to hell with the consequences.

Cassidy shook her head. “I know. It’s not like me, is it? It’s never mattered before. I don’t know what’s happening to me. Am I growing up? Am I just becoming a coward in my old age?”

Summer smiled. “Or have you finally met the one who makes it matter?”

Cassidy swallowed…hard. That couldn’t be it, could it?

Chapter Fourteen

Shane stared out the window of his office.  No matter how hard he tried he could not concentrate on his book work. His thoughts kept drifting back to Cassidy. He’d even dreamed about her last night. It was getting ridiculous. No matter what he did to take his mind off her, she’d taken up residence in his head.

It didn’t help that all of his brothers had seen her this week. And each of them had had some comment about how great she was. Beau had stopped by after showing the rental property to her and her friend, Summer. He was thrilled to have a longer term tenant, especially considering who that tenant was. He’d rattled on about Summer being such a sweet and genuine person. He’d also gone on about how cool Cassidy was. Mason had been by the gallery to see Gina, and he was all enthusiastic about what the two women were doing with their art. He’d sung Cassidy’s praises long and loud about how talented she was in both art and business. Poor old Carter had been slinking around at Cassidy’s place working on the landscaping while avoiding Summer. Shane had to smile at that. Carter had delayed starting work until Summer had moved into Beau’s place. Now that he had gotten started, he kept running down here to the ranch whenever Summer was at Cassidy’s. It wasn’t like him to be away from a job when he started—he never usually noticed who or what was around, he got so involved in his work. But he was so nervous about meeting Summer he’d left his guys to get on with it without him. Of course it hadn’t helped Shane, because every time Carter showed up here, he talked about Cassidy and how understanding she was being.

Unlike his brothers, Shane still hadn’t seen her or talked to her since their camping trip got cut short. Well, if you didn’t count crossing paths at the stoplight up in town. He grinned. She’d looked pretty pleased when he blew her a kiss. But she hadn’t answered his texts. He shrugged. Maybe he should stop by to see her? He could go up to the gallery. Or he could stop by her place. If Summer hadn’t arrived he would have done that already, but he didn’t want to impose. He sure as hell didn’t want Cassidy thinking that he was there to meet her famous friend. Damn. He didn’t know what to do. All he knew was that he wanted to see her.

As he stared out the window he had to smile as Carter’s truck came into view yet again. He went out to meet him.

“What’s up, Big C?” he called as Carter got out looking around furtively, as though worried he might have been followed.

Carter gave him a sheepish grin. “Hey, Shane. How you doing?”

“I’d be doing better if my brother didn’t keep hightailing it over here every five minutes disturbing my work time.”

Carter hung his head. “Sorry. I…Umm…”

Shane laughed. “You’re running away from Summer again, aren’t you?”

Carter nodded. “I am! I’m a big dumbass, but I get all tongue-tied just seeing Cassidy’s car, knowing that Summer Breese is inside it, all beautiful and sweet and…I’m an idiot. Sorry, I don’t want to mess up your work time. I’m wreaking havoc on my own.”

Shane grasped his shoulder. “So, what, have they just showed up again?”

“Yeah, evidently Cassidy hired someone to help out in the gallery so she can spend time with Summer, show her around and that. Now they’re coming and going all the time, I have to keep running out of there at a moment’s notice.”

Shane shook his head. “Carter, Carter, Carter. You’re neglecting your work?”

Carter looked mortified. “No! I…I’m…”

Shane gave him a stern look.

“I guess I am, aren’t I?”

Shane nodded. “And that’s not like you. You love your work, you’re conscientious. We need to put a stop to this craziness right now.”

“How though?”

“We’re going to take the bull by the horns and go over there and meet her.”

“We?”

“Yes, we. I’ll come with you for moral support.”

Carter laughed. “You mean you’re such an opportunist you’ll use my misery for your own benefit?”

“Aw, that’s not nice. How can you say that?”

“Because I know you! And because you haven’t met her yet yourself.”

Shane shook his head. “And I’m not worried about meeting Summer.”

“Oh. Yeah. Right. How long has it been since you saw Cassidy?”

Shane held his gaze for a moment. “Far too long. So let’s go kill two birds with one stone, can we? We can do each other a favor here.”

Carter scuffed the ground with his toe. “I suppose.”

“Come on, big guy. You’re not really scared of meeting that little tiny lady are you?”

“Scared? Hell no. I’m petrified. I just know I’m going to make a fool of myself somehow.”

“You are not. I’ve got your back, and you know Cassidy will do everything she can to make it easy for you. Let’s go, before you chicken out.”

“Okay.” Carter headed for his truck. “Are you going to ride with me?”

Shane thought about it. “No, I’ll follow you up there. I don’t want to give you the excuse to run out of there again to bring me back.”

“Okay. I’ll see you there.”

Shane climbed into his own truck with a grin on his face. Going up with Carter made him feel better about going. He wasn’t just crumbling and crawling to Cassidy for another shot; he was going to help his brother get over his nerves. Honest!

He pulled into Cassidy’s driveway behind Carter, wondering as he did if she’d be watching on that little monitor she had. He grinned and waved through windscreen just in case.

~ ~ ~

Cassidy smiled as Summer came back into the kitchen. “So do you feel up to having everyone over tomorrow night?”

Summer looked worried. “Two trucks coming,” she croaked.

Cassidy stood. Who might that be? She walked over to the window and had to smile when she saw Shane and Carter pulling up out front. “Well, it looks like you’ll finally get to meet the two remaining Remington boys.

Summer came to stand beside her and then looked up at Cassidy with a big smile on her face. “Please tell me the muscly one isn’t yours?”

Cassidy laughed. “Neither of them are mine! But the muscly one, as you put it, is the elusive Carter. The one I’ve been wanting you to meet. I told you he’s a bit shy. My guess is that’s why he keeps disappearing.” As she watched them start up the stairs, she also guessed that this little visit was Shane’s idea. Left to his own devices, Carter would have kept running and hiding. She looked at Summer who waggled her eyebrows.

“He looks like he worth waiting for!”

“Come on then.” She made her way to the front door. “Let’s introduce you finally.”

She opened the door and caught her breath at the sight of Shane. The tingly shivers went racing down her back. For a moment she had nothing to say. She just stared into his eyes. He stared back, his smile more questioning than cocky.

“Hi. I hope you don’t mind us stopping by.” He grinned at Summer. “I confess, I twisted Carter’s arm into bringing me over.”

Summer smiled at Shane. “I’m glad he did.” She looked back at Carter. “I’m so pleased to finally meet you.”

The touch of pink on Carter’s neck turned a deep red as Summer held out her hand. “You’re quite the mystery man.”

“Pleasure’s all mine,” he mumbled as he wrapped her little hand in his big paw.

~ ~ ~

Shane shot Cassidy a conspiratorial smile and was thrilled when she winked back at him. He didn’t want to extend his own hand as it seemed neither Summer nor Carter were ready to let go. They just stood there smiling at one another. He looked at Cassidy again and she lifted a shoulder.

“Come on in,” she said. “We don’t need to be standing out here.”

“Oh,” said Carter. “I should be getting back to work.” He looked over to where his men were laying pavers for the patio.

Summer still hadn’t let go of his hand. “Please?”

Shane grinned at the look on Carter’s face as he nodded. “Okay.”

He was like a big puppy dog following her inside.

Cassidy led them all through to the big living room. “Lemonade?” she asked.

Carter and Summer both nodded.

“I’ll give you a hand,” said Shane. Carter shot him a panicked look as he followed Cassidy through to the kitchen. Shane gave him a reassuring smile. He was giving him time alone with his dream girl; he was hardly going to stay and supervise. Besides, he had business of his own to take care of.

“Close the door,” said Cassidy in a low voice.

He closed it behind him and turned to her with a grin. “Don’t you think it’s a bit risky?”

She narrowed her eyes at him, but he could see the laughter lurking. “I mean to give
them
some privacy, not us!”

“Aw. And here I was thinking you were desperate to make up for lost time! You can’t tell me you haven’t missed me?”

She shook her head. “I don’t think I’ve ever known a guy who was as full of himself as you are.”

He shrugged. “Not so long ago someone told me that false modesty is a bad thing. And I’d never want to lie to you. I’ve missed you. I figured you missed me, too.” She was so damned beautiful! Her eyes shone as she smiled back at him. He could tell she was chewing the inside of her lip again, and, by now, he knew that that meant she was doing battle with herself. He decided to see if he could sway her in his direction. “I’m hoping that you’re as bowled over by whatever’s going on between us as I am.”

Her eyes widened in shock. “You are?”

He nodded. “You can take the win on this one. I openly admit it. You’ve gotten to me, okay? I don’t know what to do about it. I hate not knowing whether you feel same.” That knocked her sideways, he could tell.

She nodded slowly. “You’ve gotten to me, too. I have missed you, you aggravating, cocky…” she laughed. “I don’t know what to do about it either.” She held his gaze. “I think we should do
something
though. If we end up hating each other, so be it.”

“I keep telling you, we won’t.” Shane was determined to cease the moment. “So, when can we have dinner?”

Cassidy shook her head. “Not tonight. Summer is cooking for me at her place.”

“Tomorrow?” he asked hopefully.

She shook her head. “I was going to invite everyone over here tomorrow.”

“And does
everyone
include me?”

She nodded. “I could hardly leave you out, could I?”

He smiled through pursed lips. “So if I’d just waited a little longer,
you
would have come crawling to
me
?”

She laughed. “I don’t crawl, Shane.”

He shrugged. “I never have before either. I seem to be making an exception for you.”

She gave him a sassy smile. “I’m worth it.”

“Don’t I know it.”

She quickly fixed a tray with glasses and a pitcher of lemonade. “Do you think we should make sure they’re okay?”

Shane shrugged. “They’ll figure it out.” She looked so concerned, he went and peeked his head around the door. He couldn’t see them, so he went out into the living room. No sign of them. Cassidy brought the tray out. He gave her a puzzled look.

“Where the hell did they get to?” she asked.

She went to the big windows overlooking the deck and smiled back over her shoulder at him. “Come see this.”

Shane went to join her and smiled at the sight of them down in one of the new flower beds. Carter was squatting before Summer, pointing at a pretty blue flower and explaining something. Summer had her hands clasped in front of her, and big smile on her face as she listened intently.

“Seems like Carter found his tongue,” he said with a smile.

“I’m glad. One of them needs to do the talking and Summer can’t.”

“I think she might,” said Shane as he watched the petite beauty squat down in the dirt beside Carter and ask him something. The smile on his big brother’s face as he replied made Shane happy and wary at the same time. He’d never seen Carter smile like that since his wife had cheated on him and left town over ten years ago. Shane had hoped that he would find another woman to make him happy someday, but it scared him that Summer could break his heart all over again without even trying.

Cassidy looked up at him. “What do you reckon?”

He shrugged. “I like it, but it worries me.”

“Me, too.”

He slung an arm around her shoulders. “But they’re both grown-ups, and we’ve got some making up of our own to do.

She shrugged his arm off and gave him that teasing smile of hers. “You certainly have!”

“
I have?
You’re the one who’s been neglecting her duties!”

He loved the way her eyes flashed at that. “Duties? What duties do I have?”

“You were supposed to protect me from all other women remember? And for almost a week you’ve left me alone—prey to all the wicked women out there.”

This time he was pretty sure there was a fleck of green in the way her eyes flashed. She was jealous? Wow! He wouldn’t have expected that.

“I’m good, Shane, but I’m not Wonder Woman. It’d take superhuman effort to keep you away from all the women out there—wicked or not.”